'No NRC, No Census' protests held at Keinou, Athokpam
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur/Thoubal, August 25 2026: Sit-in protests were held at Keinou in Bishnupur district and Athokpam in Thoubal district on Tuesday in support of the statewide "No NRC, No Census" agitation led under the campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD).

At Keinou, the Keinou Gram Panchayat Meira Paibi Lup organised a sit-in protest at Keinou Thongkhong Community Hall, Imoinu Keithel, demanding that the Census not be conducted until internally displaced persons (IDPs) are resettled in their original homes and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is updated.

Speaking during the protest, Meena Kamei of Keinou Ayokpa Kabui Khul alleged that indigenous communities in Manipur have faced violence and other atrocities over the past three years.

She said the continuing turmoil in the State, including incidents of killings and burning of houses, had created serious concerns among the indigenous communities.

She maintained that conducting the Census before updating the NRC could adversely affect the indigenous population and called for the identification of illegal immigrants before undertaking the Census exercise.

Yumnam Lata, a member of the Keinou GP Apunba Meira Paibi, said Manipur had historically been home to different communities living together in harmony.

She expressed concern over what she described as the continued influx of illegal immigrants and its impact on indigenous communities.

She said the "No NRC, No Census" demand of the JFD, seeking NRC update before the Census, was being supported in the interest of future generations.

A large number of protesters from Ngaikhong Khunou, Keinou Thongthak, Thongkha, Keinou Ayokpa Kabui Khul and Yumnam Khunou participated in the demonstration and raised slogans demanding that the NRC be updated first.

Meanwhile, at Athokpam in Thoubal district, the Athokpam Meira Paibi Apunba Lup and Athokpam Apunba Club jointly organised a sit-in protest and public convention under the banner "No NRC, No Census" .

Residents of Athokpam and surrounding areas participated in the programme, which was also attended by JFD Finance Secretary Sunil Karam, executive member KC Romio, CADA president H Priyokumar, Apunba Manipur Kanba (IMA) Lup organising secretary Maisnam Manglembi and CNPO working committee convenor T Saka, among others.

The resource persons at the convention expressed concern over the changing demographic pattern of Manipur and its alleged impact on indigenous communities.

They maintained that if the Census is to be conducted, the NRC should first be updated to identify illegal immigrants, after which the Census should be undertaken.

The Athokpam Meira Paibi Apunba Lup and Athokpam Apunba Club subsequently resolved that no Census-related activities should be undertaken in Athokpam before the NRC update.

They also resolved to continue extending support to the JFD-led "No NRC, No Census" movement.

Comment